Mohn-Sverdrup Center for Global Ocean Studies and Operational Oceanography

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Mohn-Sverdrup Center for Global Ocean Studies
and Operational Oceanography

• Nina Winther and Laurent Bertino

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Objectives

• To provide the best possible ocean forecasts (10
  days to 1 month ahead)
• and
• improve the understanding of the ocean processes
  and circulation.
• How?
• by integrated use of numerical models, in situ
  data and remote sensing via data assimilation.

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Mohn-Sverdrup Centers staff

• Prof. Ola M. Johannessen, leader
• Dr. Laurent Bertino, co-director (20 Mohn, 80
  project)
• Dr. G. Evensen, research director II (20 Mohn)
• Dr. Hanne Sagen, scientist (project)
• Knut Arild Lisæter, scientist (project)
• Belma Batlak, junior scientist (project)
• Nina Winther, postdoc (Mohn)
• NN, postdoc (Mohn)

• Cathrine Myrmehl, PhD (project)
• François Counillon, PhD (Mohn)
• Cecilie Hansen, PhD (Mohn)
• Intissar Keghouche, PhD (Mohn)
• 2 NN, PhD (Mohn)
• Bjørn Backeberg, MSc (Mohn)
• 3 NN, MSc (Mohn)
• Dr. Phillipe Craneguy, guest scientist
• PhD stud. Jesper Larsen, guest scientist
• PhD stud. Liying Wan, guest scientist

The new center is funded for 5 years by an
endowment from Trond Mohn, c/o Frank Mohn AS,
Bergen.
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Ingredients of a ocean forecasting system

• 3D numerical ocean model
• HYCOM (U. Miami, USA)
• Sea Ice model
• Biogeoch. model (AWI, D)
• Observations
• Altimetry (CLS, F)
• Sea Surface Temperature (CLS,F)
• Sea Ice (NSIDC, USA)
• Data assimilation
• Ensemble Kalman Filter Evensen 1994, 2003, 2004

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The TOPAZ model system

• TOPAZ Atlantic and Arctic
• 18-35 km resolution
• 22 hybrid layers
• Produces 10-days forecast every week
• Assimilates
• SLA (merged from 4 satellite altimeters)
• SST (from AVHRR)
• ice concentrations (SSM/I)
• Nested models
• Arbitrary resolution (25 km)
• Arbitrary orientation
• Specific assimilation

TOPAZ
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TOPAZ forecast 11th Nov
Bulletins on http//topaz.nersc.no
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Ice concentration 31. March 2004
Observations
10-day forecast
Illustr. K. A. Lisæter
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Gulf of Mexico forecast 10th of Nov
Illustr. F. Counillon
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Comparison with dataoverlay with ocean color
data from MODIS (not assimilated)
From June to Sept. 2004 eddy shedding
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North Sea -- NFR project MONCOZE
http//moncoze.met.no
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Comparison with CTD data Torungen - Hirtshals
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Other regional models (hindcast mode)
Barents Sea
Illustr. H. Sagen
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Other regional models (hindcast mode)
West Africa
North Atlantic
Illustr. G. Evensen
Illustr. C. Hansen
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Outside the Atlantic -- the Indian ocean
Previous PhD study by Haugen et al (2001, 2002)
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Outside the Atlantic -- the Pacific ocean
Illustr. C. Hansen
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Coupled physical biochemical models

• Previous work by PhD L.-J. Natvik (2001)
• Coupling of physical ocean model with
  biochemical models
• Data assimilation of SeaWIFS ocean color

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Future perspectives

• Exhaustive model evaluation and development
• Coupled physical biochemical modeling (open
  ocean and coast)
• Multi-category Sea Ice model
• Extreme events e.g. Hurricane induced currents
• Wave current interactions
• Provide forecasts for more regions of the world
  oceans
• Real-time assimilation of new observations
• Temperature and salinity profiles (Argo program,
  XBT)
• Ice thickness (CRYOSAT)
• Sea surface salinity (SMOS / Aqua)
• MODIS / MERIS ocean color
• Dissemination of ocean forecasts to user and the
  public
• Education and training of a new generation of
  ocean forecasters